VIEW MORE PHOTOS | Atlanta Pride Parade People & Crowd 2011

The best part of the Atlanta Pride parade? Arguably, it’s the thousands of people packing the route along Peachtree and 10th streets dressed in their best – and sometimes worst – gay garb to celebrate.

So we dedicate this album to you, the people of Sunday’s parade route. There you were twirling your flags, wrapping your heads in rainbow colored bandanas, dressing up your children and pups, and showing your pride by cheering on the 200 entries in the parade.

You cheered the gay; you jeered the hate from the smattering of protesters. You tossed your dollars in Pride’s massive fundraising flag; you no doubt tossed your cookies after hours of knocking back your favorite rainbow cocktails on the route.

But best of all, you were loud and proud in your own individual way. For that, we salute you.